Diversity Goals, Effects Discussed

ELLINGTON — For more than two hours Thursday, residents wrestled with the goals -- and the effects -- of a regional plan to increase educational diversity.

Gary Feldman called the plan ``the brainchild of liberal politicians with guilty consciences.''

But Winfield Coachman Sr. said it would help prepare students to work in an increasingly diverse world. ``Your children are not going to spend the rest of their lives in Ellington,'' he said.

Residents at the special town meeting voted for a referendum on the regional plan Nov. 29, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the high school.

The plan for the 22 towns includes magnet schools, sister school relationships, and an inter-community center where students could gather after school.

About 90 residents first listened to a synopsis of the proposal by John Allison of the Capitol Region Educational Conference, which provided staff assistance for the representatives of the 22 towns in the region.

While some residents suggested the plan would bring Hartford's problems to Ellington, others grappled with what it would cost and whether the town would lose control over the programs.

Several people objected to the presence of an out-of-state opponent of the plan on a panel of town officials who were there to answer questions about the plan Thursday.

``This is an Ellington issue. We are Ellington residents,'' said Superintendent of Schools Joseph DeLucia, who asked that William D'Onofrio be removed from the panel.

Selectwoman Bonnie Tessmann said she had invited D'Onofrio, from the National Organization for Neighborhood Schools, to present an opposing opinion. But moderator Michael Bars asked him to leave the stage.

After D'Onofrio said a court-ordered desegregation plan did not work in Delaware and mentioned forced busing, he got a quick reaction.

``No one has said anything about busing,'' Coachman said.

Ron Blanchette, a member of the regional forum who helped draft the proposals, repeatedly said forced busing was not a part of the plan, and that participation by the town or by a parent, was optional.

Fellow board of education member William Harford, who opposes the plan, said money was the issue.

``If the state pays for it, where's the money going to come from?'' he said. Blanchette said the plan makes clear that additional money would be appropriated by the General Assembly.

Monica Stack said the plan would help Ellington students learn how to work with people of other backgrounds.

``This is not just going to benefit city kids,'' said Stack, who works in a Hartford school. ``Most of the kids in Ellington can really learn from this. This is going to benefit everyone.''

Dixie Palmer said the plan was more accurately called a desegregation plan, and said Ellington also had social problems.

``We have 12-year-olds who are pregnant, we have kids smoking dope,'' she said. She said the discussion was useful, and supported the plan.

``We all have our own fears, but at least we are sitting down and we are talking,'' she said.

At least three municipalities -- Norwalk, Stamford and Meriden -- have turned down their respective plans. All towns must vote on the plans before Dec. 1.